Costa Coffee — Restaurant in New Forest

The Costa in New Milton seems to have mastered the art of turning a simple coffee run into an epic saga. It’s as if they’ve made understaffing their brand identity; especially during peak times or heaven forbid Sunday lunchtimes. I have been several times and each experience has felt like an endurance test. If you’re after a quick coffee, prepare to wait an eye-watering 20min minimum. And that's assuming you only want a takeaway coffee and a panini.

My last visit was a particular masterpiece in inefficiency. With 40min to spare before my train, I thought surely that would be enough time to grab two coffees and two paninis. I clearly overestimated Costa's sense of urgency. After paying, I watched in disbelief as minutes ticked by and my hopes of enjoying lunch vanished. I eventually had to leave - without one of the purchased paninis - just to make my train. The one panini I did manage to secure was cold despite their half-hearted attempts to heat it.

If you enjoy cold paninis, missed trains, feeling stressed and watching staff move at the pace of a slow-motion replay, this Costa might be your dream cafe. For everyone else, it’s a masterclass in...

The team at this Costa are very polite and friendly which made us feel very welcome. Great brews, food and snacks with plenty of cosy seating. Toilets are available as expected with any decent coffee shop.

The only negative about this branch is it was fairly busy when we arrived and the queue to be served shares the same little space that people are seated and therefore you constantly need to keep moving to allow them to pass either because they have been to the toilet or they are leaving.

The other nag is more towards Costa as a whole! I really wish they did a Star Bucks style caramel macchiato which is Milk, Brewed Espresso, Vanilla Syrup and...

The manager of the shop ask a colleague to clean disabled toilets mirror as some kids had put soup all over it and when walking in someone had dropped a wine bottle outside adjoining shops Tescos and left it I mentioned it and the manager got her cleaning brush etc and went out and cleaned it up 10out of 10 for Effort and worrying about customers sitting outside with their dogs great team in this branch a...